Meredith, it's funny that you said my colors were soothing. I've already painted two rooms in my house using the "Serenity" collection of paints from Benjamin Moore.

JJ, I love that picture. Please invite me over when you get that house!

Dotsie, I'd love a beach house too! That would be my dream. And after we had iced tea at JJ's we could all take a swim in "my" ocean.
Pina Colada, anyone?

Hannalore, yours and JJ's bedrooms sound so comfy!

And Saundra, I agree. I won't buy things I don't like either. That's great that you were able to make a trade for a couch.

TVC, I love, love, love, BM paint. It's the best, don't you think? I mean if you're gonna paint, (and who likes to do that?) then you might as well get what you pay for and use the BM paint. BM...hmm..that doesn't sound right. Think I'll spell it out from now on...Benjamin Moore! LOL!

I have NO desire to live on the ocean or any water for that matter. I had a place for years on a river here. Nothing but work. But..............I'm ALL FOR visiting you TVC and sipping on that Pina Colada! Wuhooo!

Dots, when I built a house years ago (another lifetime) I had a note book divided off into rooms with pictures of every single thing I wanted. Talk about a time saver AND a budget reminder. It was wonderful! I still have it. The book, not the house. Sigh.....

Hannelore, I would love to see a pic of your cottage!

I spent 4 hours today in 30 tile stores and I am sooooo burnt out. Also a little bummed --- there is no such thing as large glass floor tile, because it's considered too fragile. And the $200 estimate for the tiny bathroom???? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! That was wall tile, not floor tile. Floor tile is 3x as thick and 3x as expensive. Since I can't get large tiles (which I really wanted), I need to reconsider my plans -- which translates into 4 more hours trolling for tiles on Monday or Tuesday. Maybe large ceramic tiles surrounded by the 1x1 glass? which of course might change my color scheme Bummer.

Hi, Meredith: Have you considered mosaic tiling with 1 x 1's in combination of ceramic and glass? Would that be cheaper and still allow you to get the effect that you want?

Meredith, you got me fascinated with the idea of installing glass floor tiles and found these links that may help you find manufactureres in the States:
http://www.aboutglasstile.com/en/articles/floors-walk-sunshine.php
and
http://www0.shopping.com/xGS-Glass_Floor...earch.yahoo.com

The first time we painted in here, someone told us about a Bejamin Moore color called Opal. We used it and loved it. We have since had to paint the entire unit twice and certain parts even more (due to our flooding "event" not the paint) and we've used that color every time. I love it. When you first look at it in the daylight, it appears to be a soft white, but it takes on the colors in the room. We had a burgany/red rug in the dining and living room area and it took on a pinkish color and a warm glow at night. Now we have tile in the dining room and the same burgandy in the living room and it still looks great. We had that in the bedroom, changed to hunter green for a while. It took on the green and looked totally different in that room. Now we are back to the burgandy in the bedroom. Ben makes a good paint.

Okay JJ, here are pictures of my dream recluse. Would just love to sit out on the deck and write and paint.


...


Actually, I think I got to find that peaceful recluse within myself. I can paint and write everywhere...don't understand why I even need this place; but it is nice to look at.

Oh ye-ahhhh....I love this. Such a gentle place. I can see us up under the porch on extremely hot days...lounging and sipping the julips....then moving to the deck and the sun when needing to grab more energy from the rays. Oh yeah girlfriend...this would work for me!

Feel the breeze? Can't you smell the ocean? I can. Thanks for sharing!

You don't want to see me paint, but I'd love to sit ther and write.

Wouldn't it be fun for all of us to rent a beach house and hang out for a few days together?

JJ, thanks for the eat-my-heart-out site. Drooling now! Love the pic of your dream house. I want it too.